Sale 1305 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 13-14 December, 2023
Category — 1894-95 Bureau Issues (Scott 246-278)
2c Light Rose Carmine, Lithographic Postal Counterfeit (250CF3). Two, one with small manuscript "C" for "Counterfeit", affixed to April 10, 1895 circular from Third Assistant Postmaster General announcing the existence of these counterfeits in the marketplace, addressed to Postmaster at Detroit, gum staining around stamps which are also a bit faded, edge nicks and tears around notice, otherwise Fine and wonderful collateral item for the Specimen or Bureau collector, accompanied by four additional counterfeits including corner margin imperforate pair (250CF1), Scott value for just the document is $950
2c Scarlet, Ty. II (251a). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90), SCV $400
50c Orange (260). Original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color, outstanding centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95), only two have graded higher and five others share this grade
$1.00 Black (261). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade, Fine, with 1993 and 2023 P.F. certificates
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Unused (regummed), deep rich color and detailed impression, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED FIRST BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1987 P.F. certificate as original gum. With 2023 P.S.E. certificate (RG, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ, SMQ as no gum/regummed $4,250 as 95, $7,750 as 98)
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Disturbed original gum and h.r., well-centered but reperfed at bottom, also a thin speck, appears Very Fine
2c Carmine, Ty. II-III (266-267). Bottom left pane of 100, left three vertical rows are Type II, other seven rows are Type III, with imprint and plate no. 170 at left and bottom, cancelled by numerous strikes of double-oval cancel, significant perf separations including essentially rejoined between rows 3-4 (the rows that cross the two types), few other small faults, Fine appearance and despite the condition issues this is a very rare used pane from plate 170, only the bottom left pane from plate 170 contained a combination of both Types II and III — leaving a total of ten positions out of the plate that can yield this combination of types — this obviously contains all ten possible positions, Scott prices a used horizontal pair at $27.50 ($275 for ten pairs), but this pane does not easily translate to a catalog value
8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Showing "R" of watermark, deep rich color, unobtrusive cancel, Fine, with 1992 and 2023 P.F. certificates
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered but reperfed at right, appears Very Fine
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Mint N.H., crisp shade and detailed impression, choice centering
VERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $1.00 TYPE II WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A RARE STAMP IN THIS POST-OFFICE FRESH CONDITION.
As an indication of rarity, we have only offered perhaps a half dozen other Mint N.H. examples of this issue since keeping computerized records. Of those, only one could be considered to have Extremely Fine centering.
With 1996 P.S.E., 1984 and 2023 P.F. certificates.
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Original gum, h.r., Fine, with 1979 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Mint N.H., nicely centered with wide margins, deep rich color on bright paper
VERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
As an indication of rarity, we have offered only about 15-20 Mint N.H. examples of this issue since keeping computerized records. Few qualify as Extremely Fine.
With 1982 and 2023 P.S.E. certificates.
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, h.r., well-centered but reperfed at right, appears Extremely Fine
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, well-centered but reperfed, appears Very Fine
$2.00 Dark Blue (277a). Original gum, deep rich color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, tiny crease at bottom left, Extremely Fine appearance, with clear 1979 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Choice centering and margins, deep rich color, light strike of oval cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85)